SCHOTT’s IRG materials are ideal for integration in and expansion of optics in defense applications in thermal imaging to include night vision goggles, thermal cameras, targeting systems, which offer excellent transmission in the near IR (NIR), shortwave IR (SWIR), midwave IR (MWIR), and longwave IR (LWIR) ranges. In addition, SCHOTT’s multispectral chalcogenide glasses (IRGX) facilitate the design of single-aperture multispectral optics that can further reduce the size and weight of defense imaging systems.

SCHOTT will highlight these advantages in the following IR material categories:

Novel IR Glasses for IR and Multispectral Applications: SCHOTT will demonstrate how IRGX functions in traditional infrared applications as well as how it opens new design possibilities for true multispectral applications. SCHOTT’s repeatable and effective manufacturing processes support cost-effective and high-performance optical designs for IRGX multispectral glasses in the NIR, SWIR, MIR, and LWIR bands that can also transmit as low as 450 nm in the visible.

IR Preforms and Molding: SCHOTT will introduce its new processing capability - IRG ball preforms for precision glass molding of IR components – which can improve cost-effectiveness while maintaining part-to-part uniformity and high quality. Using preforms, SCHOTT can process orders of hundreds of parts for process development as well as scale-up to orders of millions of parts to support high-volume production.

IR Ceramics: SCHOTT will demonstrate the advantages of IR ceramics (IRC) in multispectral windows. Material developments now allow for dual-band mid-to-long IR transmission with increased hardness, as well as windows and dome-shaped prototypes. In addition, SCHOTT will introduce additional IRC products with visible to LWIR transmission and increased hardness over CVD processed ZnS.

“Advances in IR glass are offering engineers and designers new leeway to trim the size, weight, and power of mission-critical defense equipment,” said Major General (Ret.) Scott Custer, USAF, President and CEO of SCHOTT Defense. “SCHOTT’s multispectral chalcogenide glasses expand opportunities to enhance situational awareness while improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the imaging technology warfighters rely on.”

Learn more about SCHOTT’s IR glasses at DSS at booth 925.

About SCHOTT

SCHOTT is an international technology group with more than 130 years of experience in the areas of specialty glass and materials and advanced technologies. SCHOTT ranks number one in the world with many of its products. Its core markets are the household appliance, pharmaceutical, electronics, optics and transportation industries. The company is strongly committed to contributing to its customers’ success and making SCHOTT an important part of people’s lives with high-quality products and intelligent solutions. SCHOTT is committed to managing its business in a sustainable manner and supporting its employees, society and the environment. The SCHOTT Group maintains close proximity to its customers with manufacturing and sales units in 35 countries. Its workforce of 15,400 employees generated worldwide sales of $2.5 billion for the 2012/2013 fiscal year.

About SCHOTT Defense

SCHOTT has been supplying the U.S. defense market with advanced technologies for over 40 years. The company’s product range, ready to serve the defense and security industries, includes fiber optics, optical and filter glasses, glass and glass-ceramic for armor, and hermetic packages for protecting sensitive electronic components.